1. Before the Scarlet Letter
The History of Puritanism in the Colonies

2. Overview Major Topics Reasons for Puritan Colonization
Early Days of Puritan Colonization
Main Ideas/Views of Puritan Society

3. Reasons for Puritan Colonization
Religious Persecution in England
Erection of a Model Christian Society

4. Religious Persecution in England
Church of England
Established by Henry VIII
Split with Catholic church over Henry’s desire to marry Anne Boleyn
Catholic framework with Protestant rituals
Book of Common Prayer
The King is the head of the Church of England
Subordinate: Archbishop of Canterbury

5. Religious Persecution in England
Puritans
Religious reform movement in Church of England
All with varying opinions of how to reform church
“Slavish” devotion to the Bible
Disliked for criticizing neighbors for their perceived lax or lack of Christianity
Wanted change of tone and purpose of the mass
Especially wanted an end to the Catholic remnants in the Anglican system
Supported by professional classes
Professional classes did not like restrictions on mercantilist policies set by Church
Were not allowed by church to practice their form of Anglican practice

6. Erection of Model Christian Society
Early on
Puritan ministers began removing selves and parishes from English system
Focused on establishing “City of God.”
Orators
Young men w/ Cambridge degrees
Considered themselves “visible saints.”
Communities wanting separation
Would travel to New World and Netherlands to exercise religious freedom

7. Early Days of Puritan Colonization
Plymouth Colony
1627=> Landed in Plymouth, MA
Harsh Winter
Taught to farm by Native Americans
Thanksgiving tradition based off of this
Massachusetts Bay
Separate colony from Plymouth
Also a Puritan colony
Meant to be a “City on a Hill.”
A light for the world to mimic
Goal was to make a better society than the one in England
By 1640=> 10,000+ settlers in Mass Bay

8. Early Days of Puritan Colonization
Early Puritan colonies
Mostly families
High literacy
VERY devotional life
Loose confederation of various churches
Puritan religious hierarchy as strict and intolerant as the one they fled
Conflicts between authority of elders and the congregation

9. Main Ideas/Views of Puritan Society
Covenant Relationship with God
Need to be in a relationship with God in order to attain salvation
Salvation Revealed through Preaching
Religious texts hold path to salvation BUT
Salvation is revealed through spoken word of preachers and priests of Puritanism
Heavy emphasis on learned ministry
Priests must be educated in order to better translate and share the path to salvation with the people of Puritanism

10. Main Ideas/Views of Puritan Society
Covenant Theology
Puritans are “elect spirits” who are chosen by God to live godly lives
Referred to both the individual and the community as a whole
Public punishment so community could help guide sinners back to path
Predestination a part of this as well
It is determined if we are going to heaven or hell before birth
Rejection of Anglicanism
Saw Anglican beliefs as nothing more than “Popish idolatry”
One of reasons they were persecuted in England
Would rather draw on images from scripture or everyday life